Canada NewsWire
EDMONTON, AB, May 23, 2024
EDMONTON, AB, May 23, 2024 /CNW/ - Every senior in Canada deserves to age in dignity, safety, and comfort, regardless of where they live. That is why the Government of Canada is investing close to $200 billion over 10 years, which includes $5.4 billion for tailored bilateral agreements with provinces and territories on Aging with Dignity.
Today, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, and the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, on behalf the Honourable Mark Holland, Canada's Minister of Health and the Honourable and Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health for Alberta announced a bilateral agreement to invest $627 million over the next five years to help Albertans age with dignity. This funding builds on the over $1 billion bilateral agreement that was announced with the province in December of 2023, as part of the Government's Working Together to Improve Health Care for Canadians plan.
Federal funding will support Alberta's five-year action plan to improve health care for seniors. The plan will:
Support home, community, and palliative care services
Expand caregiver supports
Strengthen the continuing care workforce
Enhance compliance and improved quality of continuing care
Progress on these initiatives and broader commitments will be measured against targets which Alberta will publicly report on annually.
Through this new agreement and the Working Together agreement signed in December 2023, Alberta will improve how health information is collected, shared, used and reported to Canadians; streamline foreign credential recognition for internationally educated health professionals; facilitate the mobility of key health professionals within Canada; and fulfill shared responsibilities to uphold the Canada Health Act to protect Canadians' access to health care that is based on need, not the ability to pay.
Recognizing the significant disparities in Indigenous health outcomes, the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta also commit to meaningfully engage and work together with Indigenous partners to support improved access to quality and culturally appropriate health care services. Alberta's action plan is informed by continued engagement with its Indigenous partners. All orders of government will approach health decisions in their respective jurisdictions through a lens that promotes respect and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
Alberta and the federal government will continue working together to improve access to health services and deliver results for seniors across the province, including responding to the needs of Indigenous and other underserved and disadvantaged populations.
Quotes
"Every Canadian deserves access to safe and high quality health care at every stage of their lives. By working together with Alberta, this agreement will build a stronger health care system, support health workers, and help seniors across the province access the care they need."
The Honourable Mark Holland
Minister of Health
"Budget 2024 is about fairness for every generation - that means giving seniors the services they need to age with dignity. By recognizing the disparities in health outcomes become between communities, we are able to give necessary care to those who need it most."
The Honourable Randy Boissonnault
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages
"Every Canadian deserves to age with dignity regardless of where they live. Seniors in Alberta helped build this country and today's agreement will go a long way in ensuring they now have equitable access to the services they deserve and need. This is a concrete example of the work we can accomplish together when provinces and the federal government work together."
The Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
"Alberta's government is taking action to meet the growing needs of our aging population and help ensure the future of the province's continuing care system. We have committed $1 billion over three years to transform continuing care in Alberta. This Aging with Dignity funding will help enhance Alberta's efforts to transform the continuing care system to support Albertans as they age."
The Honourable Adriana LaGrange
Alberta's Minister of Health
Quick Facts
Associated Links
SOURCE Health Canada (HC)
View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2024/23/c2878.html